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News Summary: La. flood board sues oil companies

COMPANIES SUED: The oil and gas industry has cost Louisiana hundreds of thousands of acres of coastal land that serve as a natural buffer against flooding from hurricanes, officials in charge of New Orleans-area flood protection say in a lawsuit seeking to hold dozens of companies responsible.

MOUTAINS OF SOIL: Corrosive saltwater from a network of oil and gas access and pipeline canals has killed vegetation and swept away mountains of soil, the lawsuit claims.

COMPANIES NAMED: About 100 companies are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Officials in the oil and gas industry said they will vigorously defend against the lawsuit.